❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the development of new ferry terminals at Matilda Bay and Applecross, raising concerns about environmental impact, land use, parking, and future expansion. The Minister's response provides details on consultations, environmental considerations, and future plans.
AnsweredQoN 652Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In welcoming the Minister's media release of 13 September 2025 regarding development applications having been lodged for the two new ferry terminals at Matilda Bay and Applecross, can the Minister please inform me of what bodies, organisations, and/or individuals were consulted with prior to applications being lodged in each instance? (2) Given the sensitivity of the adjacent Pelican Point, and the pelicans that give the area its name, what environmental impact considerations have, or will, be taken into account in terms of the Matilda Bay terminal in particular? (3) Am I correct in my understanding that Matilda Bay Reserve is currently a Class A Reserve, and if so, what portion will need to be excised from the Reserve to allow for the creation of the terminal, and which Metropolitan Region Scheme applies across the area? (4) Has the Department drawn up a list of future potential jetty sites and stops along the river, and if so, is the Minister able to share that, perhaps with indications of the stages at which they are likely to become active? (5) What consideration has been given to the depth constraints in the river as a whole, and in those areas with bridges in particular - have these potential issues been raised, and/or addressed when considering the capabilities of the ferries and their design in terms of draught and displacement? (6) Has any consideration been given to the potential for smaller river taxies to operate along and across the river once the various jetties have been opened up, and if so, is the Department considering a licence fee structure which would allow private companies to access the new facilities? (7) Are there any zoning or land use restrictions in place at the Applecross terminal location that will require re-zoning or excision, and if so, what are they please? (8) Have any conversations been had with The University of Western Australia about the potential to access parking facilities immediately opposite the Matilda Bay terminus, on the other side of Hackett Drive? (9) If no to (8), are there plans to have those conversations, and if not, what alternative parking arrangements are being considered around Matilda Bay, and will any of the options require further excision or legal adjustment? (10) And what parking arrangements are under consideration at the Applecross end of the route, and are there any zoning or excision considerations to be borne in mind in that regard?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 November 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport
Response time
9 days
(1) The Public Transport Authority and Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure have consulted with a range of organisations prior to the lodging of development applications for the Matilda Bay and Applecross terminals. This includes:
On-water users and peak bodies: Boating Industry Association of WA; Boating Western Australia Inc.; Canning Bridge Rowing Club; Claremont Masters Swimming Club; Efoil Australia; Fishability WA; Hale School Rowing; John XXIII College Rowing; Kiteboarding WA; Mounts Bay Sailing Club; Paddle WA; Perth Dinghy Sailing Club; Perth Rowing Club; Pelican Point Sea Scout Group; Rowing WA; Royal Perth Yacht Club; Sailability WA; Scout Water Activity Centre Como; Sea Scouts WA; South of Perth Yacht Club; SUP Central; Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group Inc.; UWA Boat Club; UWA Outdoor Club; WA Council of the Australian Power Boat Assoc.; WA Rowing Club; WA Windsurfing; Western Australian Water Ski Association; and Yachting WA.
The University of Western Australia: including the UWA Student Guild; and administration representatives for estate, planning and development; campus operations; sport; placemaking and activation
Local governments: including the City of Melville; City of Perth; City of South Perth; and Town of Victoria Park.
Resident groups: City of Melville Community Reference Group; City of Melville Residents and Ratepayers Association; City of Perth Western Residents Inc; The Raffles Waterfront Apartments Council of Owners.
Businesses: Bayside Kitchen; Sevens Group; and Wonil Hotel.
Other organisations: Natureplay WA; Swan River Trust Board Members; Tourism WA; Westcycle.
(2) Full details of the environmental impact considerations for the project are publicly available on the Environmental Protection Authority’s website following Public Transport Authority’s self-referral under the Environmental Protection Act .
I table the PTA’s referral form.
(3) Yes, the Matilda Bay ferry terminal site intersects with the A Class Matilda Bay Reserve. The proposed development represents an appropriate land use designation under the MRS as it will support enhanced public transport, including between the Canning Bridge activity centre and key institutions such as UWA and QEII.
(4) Consideration is being given to a future eastern expansion, with potential terminal locations including Point Fraser, Burswood, Stadium, Claisebrook Cove, Belmont Park West and East, Maylands, Rivervale, Maylands Peninsula and Belmont.
The viability of these sites as part of any future ferry expansion is currently being investigated and staging is yet to be determined.
(5) Investigations have been undertaken to assess the impacts that river depth and bridge height will have on any required vessel design.
(6) Ferry terminal infrastructure constructed as part of this program will be for the exclusive use of PTA ferries.
(7) No.
(8) - (9) The intention is to improve public transport use in the area to provide an alternate and attractive means of transport to Matilda Bay. The ferry service will be designed to connect with bus services and infrastructure will be built on Hackett Drive to accommodate this.
(10) Parking is not being provided at Applecross. However, the Public Transport Authority is in discussions with the City of Melville about the provision of two drop off bays in the near vicinity of the terminal.
On-water users and peak bodies: Boating Industry Association of WA; Boating Western Australia Inc.; Canning Bridge Rowing Club; Claremont Masters Swimming Club; Efoil Australia; Fishability WA; Hale School Rowing; John XXIII College Rowing; Kiteboarding WA; Mounts Bay Sailing Club; Paddle WA; Perth Dinghy Sailing Club; Perth Rowing Club; Pelican Point Sea Scout Group; Rowing WA; Royal Perth Yacht Club; Sailability WA; Scout Water Activity Centre Como; Sea Scouts WA; South of Perth Yacht Club; SUP Central; Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group Inc.; UWA Boat Club; UWA Outdoor Club; WA Council of the Australian Power Boat Assoc.; WA Rowing Club; WA Windsurfing; Western Australian Water Ski Association; and Yachting WA.
The University of Western Australia: including the UWA Student Guild; and administration representatives for estate, planning and development; campus operations; sport; placemaking and activation
Local governments: including the City of Melville; City of Perth; City of South Perth; and Town of Victoria Park.
Resident groups: City of Melville Community Reference Group; City of Melville Residents and Ratepayers Association; City of Perth Western Residents Inc; The Raffles Waterfront Apartments Council of Owners.
Businesses: Bayside Kitchen; Sevens Group; and Wonil Hotel.
Other organisations: Natureplay WA; Swan River Trust Board Members; Tourism WA; Westcycle.
(2) Full details of the environmental impact considerations for the project are publicly available on the Environmental Protection Authority’s website following Public Transport Authority’s self-referral under the Environmental Protection Act .
I table the PTA’s referral form.
(3) Yes, the Matilda Bay ferry terminal site intersects with the A Class Matilda Bay Reserve. The proposed development represents an appropriate land use designation under the MRS as it will support enhanced public transport, including between the Canning Bridge activity centre and key institutions such as UWA and QEII.
(4) Consideration is being given to a future eastern expansion, with potential terminal locations including Point Fraser, Burswood, Stadium, Claisebrook Cove, Belmont Park West and East, Maylands, Rivervale, Maylands Peninsula and Belmont.
The viability of these sites as part of any future ferry expansion is currently being investigated and staging is yet to be determined.
(5) Investigations have been undertaken to assess the impacts that river depth and bridge height will have on any required vessel design.
(6) Ferry terminal infrastructure constructed as part of this program will be for the exclusive use of PTA ferries.
(7) No.
(8) - (9) The intention is to improve public transport use in the area to provide an alternate and attractive means of transport to Matilda Bay. The ferry service will be designed to connect with bus services and infrastructure will be built on Hackett Drive to accommodate this.
(10) Parking is not being provided at Applecross. However, the Public Transport Authority is in discussions with the City of Melville about the provision of two drop off bays in the near vicinity of the terminal.
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